Ronan O’Gara weighs in on who should be Ireland’s outhalf successor to Johnny Sexton.
Speaking on Off The Ball during the week Ronan O’Gara broke down Joey Carbery’s performance against France and weighs up just how good he is for Ireland. Ronan O’Gara thinks Joey Carbery’s ceiling and potential is huge saying “the upside to him is huge”. O’Gara reminisces on the try Carbery set up for Keith Earls in the 2019 Six Nations “I keep going back to that try he created for Keith Earls in Murrayfield “his capacity on the ball is freakish”. Joey Carbery is Dan Carter-esque according to Irish and Munster legend O’Gara.
Six Nations so far
When speaking about how Carbery performance against France last Saturday in Paris he said “was his goal kicking top notch at the weekend? Yes it was”. He continues “Was his line kicking top notch? Yes it was”. The current La Rochelle head coach says that Carbery’s ball skills are really good but his kicking game is something that constantly needs work. O’Gara says that something that Carbery can look to improve on is “staying square at the line”. Carbery should stay square to try and fix defenders when attacking the line. O’Gara recommends that another adjustment or improvement Carbery can make is “getting a second touch in attack”.
O’Gara says that Carbery has proven himself in big clashes against France away and against the All Blacks but suggests that Carbery should be getting more starts for Ireland to aid his development. The big games are massively important for someone like Carbery, O’Gara mentions. However O’Gara warns that Ireland captain Johnny Sexton is currently in better form than Carbery.
The Munster legend mentions that the performances Carbery has delivered, including the second half comeback against France is massively impressive consideingr Carbery’s recent lack of game-time.
🗣️The upside to him is huge, you've got to keep playing him.
🏉 ROG says it's important for Joey Carbery to get more regular starts for Ireland ahead of the World Cup. #OTBAM with @gilletteuk | #BestFaceForward
Full chat – https://t.co/yqvQDqiiLt pic.twitter.com/j3W3kD1c13
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 19, 2022
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